Monday, May 5, 2008

Puppy photos! And a question.

So, we went to North Carolina this weekend and saw my parents, which was great, but obviously not the big attraction because HI THERE WAS A PUPPY and OH MY GOD.

Of course, we forgot our camera. Luckily, my dad sent me photos. Some of them were taken this weekend (age three months) and some of them are when he was eight weeks old. And oh my god, his cuteness? It kills.

By the way? His name is Diego. Sorry I didn't mention it earlier.

Anyway, LOOK AT THE CUTE.

In other news (is there any news more important than the cuteness of this dog? I didn't think so), I realize I'm asking you guys lots of questions recently, but you are all just so useful. Over the weekend I asked you about waxing, so if you haven't weighed in yet, please do!

And I have another, unrelated question. Torsten and I have scheduled an engagement photo session with our wedding photographer for the end of the month, and I am wondering what to wear. I know it's supposed to be solid colors, but I'm less sure about the level of formality. I was thinking about a cute white summer dress, but I don't own one, so I'd have to go hunt one down. Or there's this red dress that I already own, and would probably wear without the belt:

Or something much more casual, like jeans or capris? With a tank top or something a bit more conservative, possibly long-sleeved? Or something else entirely that I haven't thought of? And what about Torsten? Jeans? Striped polo? Button-down shirt?

You see, I am USELESS when it comes to this stuff. Thank god weddings come with clothing guidelines already in place. Once I've narrowed it down to a white dress for me and a tux for him, I'm good. But the engagement photos? And all the options? Completely overwhelming. Point being, save me! What should we wear?

I really like that dress! If you're comfortable wearing that, do it. For our engagement photos, we both wore khakis, and I wore a sleeveless silk top with a sash and Jason wore a nice polo shirt. It was dressy without being all-out dressy, you know?

I think that your engagement picture should be a reflection of you and Torsten. If you are a casual couple, then go casual. If you are a dress-up couple, then do that. But don't try to make the picture something you are not just because it is your 'engagement' picture.

The dog is CUTE. On the waxing - never tried it but I shave my legs everyday in the shower as part of my routine. It really only takes a couple of minutes and my legs are always smooth.

Wear whatever you're comfortable wearing for the pictures. I've seen some couples in very casual outfits (like something you'd wear to a park) and more formal wear (suit and tie for him, scoop neck and pearl necklace for her).

It should be a picture that expresses who the two of you are together. Fun-loving, fancy free? Go casual. Sophisticated and elegant? It's suit and tie time (for Torsten)).

I've always thought that pictures should reflect who you are. You know, not be all stiffly posed or wearing clothes that make you feel uncomfortable. You want people to see the photos and think, "My! Don't they look happy!"

Therefore, I suggest wearing an outfit that makes you feel good. I don't think it needs to be formal, either. Something comfy that you think makes you look good.

Also, your photographer might have good advice on what to wear. Not specifically what to wear but general advice. Like stripes might not be the greatest idea because they are not always flattering. Try to wear something that will make you stand out from the background where you'll be. That sorta thing...

And do your make-up heavy that day! It might look too heavy in real life but will look fab in the photos.

I know this is probably less than helpful, but there really aren't guidelines for engagement photo dress. Go with something that you feel good in and is consistent with something you would wear in real life. If your wedding is on the formal side, a dress is better, but it sounds like your reception is going to be a big fun party, so casual would work too. Whichever you go with feeling good is the most important.

Are the pictures going to be taken in a studio or outside? If it's outside, I would definitely go more casual. You will have tons of formal pictures from the wedding, you might want something a little more relaxed.

Wear whatever you want, I say. H and I wore sweaters and jeans because our pictures were taken during the winter. You could always bring a change of clothes and do some pics in the dress and others in something more casual. I like the red dress, by the way. I wouldn't get a white dress because white could make you look washed out in pics.

Okay, importanlty, PUPPY is SO CUTE!! I just want to squeeze him! Secondly, I totally think you should go for the summer dress with some good flip flops, that way you won't be too formal, yet still dressy!

As for the pictures, I was going to say what lots of people have already said: wear something you're comfortable and feel pretty in. I think it's more important that how you look be a reflection of who you are than of what you think an engagement picture is supposed to look like.

awww, thats SO cute, it almost makes me want to somehow reverse time and turn my 6 month old not-quite-a-puppy-anymore back into an 8 week old. :D

I would wear something you'd wear out on a date with Torsten that's slightly dressy, like a high end dinner date. Or something. Too bad you can't wear your polka dot dress, I think that would be perfection. :(

All the engagement photos I see are like from the chest up, usually with the guy wearing a button-up or polo and the girl wearing a dressy-ish top. If it's from the chest-up, you won't be able to tell if you have on a dress or just a pretty shirt.

The best engagements photos I've seen are the ones where the bride and groom are relaxed and comfortable. Sometimes, that's as simple as jeans, t-shirts and barefoot on the beach. Other times, it's much more dressy. I think it all depends on where you're having the photos taken and what will make the two of you happiest and most at ease.

my friend's engagement photos (which i love!) are her in a solid turquoise short sleeve polo and a knee-length jean skirt, and her hubs in a polo & jeans as well. they look happy, relaxed, and "normal" - eg stuff they'd normally be found wearing so it doesn't look "stuffy."

Adorable puppy! Sorry I can't help with your questions; I'm worse than useless when it comes to that stuff. I guess with four girls I better start figuring some of it out, but I'm a procrastinator and there are a lot of years between now and when I may conceivably need that knowledge.

I'm no help with the question (the best I got is 'go with what feels good', which is my motto for everything- which may explain why I'm always in trouble), but the puppy? Oh the puppy. I love. Especially the one of it sleeping in the sun.

I like the red dress- I don't know much about engagement festivities (we were only engaged for about 3 days lol)but I'm thinking you should wear something summery and pretty. It should definitely be a day to feel pretty. :)

ohhhhh! I love puppies! That one is particularly adorable. I think Chester wants to be friends with him. As for the engagement picture - what is your very favorite outfit that you feel the prettiest in? Because that is what you should wear.

So does this mean you're going to get a puppy and name her Dora? ba-dum-ching!

What about wearing the outfit you were wearing when Torsten proposed? Or something that goes well with the background...like if you're having outdoor pictures in a park, something less casual than, say, outdoor pictures with a skyline in the background...

2. Red dress. Or alternatively, something which will complement what Torsten is in. I wouldn't do white for a photo shoot. It's hard to expose white properly and get all the other shades right too. (White very often blows out.) I would go with slightly more formal too, or at least very flattering, since you'll want to look at the photos forever.

The reason I am being so advice-heavy is because my boyfriend does wedding photos and engagement photos. I help out sometimes. So we're both kind of picky that way. The main thing is to wear something you'll be happy staring at for years to come.

I say you should both wear something nice, that makes you feel good, and that is really just you.

The wedding is about glamour. The engagement photos are just about the two of you. That's my thought anyway.

I've kept a copy of my parents' engagement photo since I was in middle school. They were total hippies, they're both wearing jeans and have long hair, and they're just standing in the woods. Cutest. Photo. EVER.